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Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) for Dogs — Veterinarian-Reviewed Top 5 Options in Canada (2025): Telmisartan, Losartan and ACE Alternatives to Protect Heart & Kidneys

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) provide an alternative to ACE inhibitors for controlling blood pressure and protecting the heart and kidneys in dogs. In clinical practice they are most often used for hypertension, proteinuric kidney disease and as an option when ACE inhibitors are not tolerated or additional renin-angiotensin system blockade is needed. Canadian veterinarians and pet owners increasingly prefer ARBs and related formulations because they can reduce proteinuria and blood pressure with a different side-effect profile than ACE inhibitors, offer flexible dosing via licensed oral solutions or compounded suspensions, and allow tailored therapy for dogs of many sizes and comorbidities. Key consumer preferences in this market include demonstrated clinical benefit, veterinary approval or oversight, stability and palatability of the formulation, convenient dosing schedules, clear monitoring guidelines, and reliable pharmacy access in Canada — whether through licensed products like oral telmisartan solutions or compounded telmisartan and losartan preparations.

Quick Menu

1. Branded Telmisartan (Semintra)

2. Compounded Telmisartan Suspension

3. Compounded Losartan Tablets

4. ACE Inhibitor — Benazepril (Comparator)

5. ACE Inhibitor — Enalapril (Comparator)

1
BRANDED TELMISARTAN (SEMINTRA)

Semintra 10mg/mL Oral Solution

Semintra 10mg/mL Oral Solution

Semintra is the market-leading telmisartan oral solution specifically formulated for veterinary use, offering precise, small-volume dosing and validated stability which makes it technically superior for canine cardiovascular applications. Compared with compounded telmisartan or generic ARBs, Semintra delivers consistent potency and regulatory-backed safety data for dogs, reducing monitoring uncertainty and often justifying a higher price by lowering the risk of under- or overdosing. Its single-product formulation can also simplify inventory and prescribing for clinics that prioritize licensed veterinary options over off-label compounded alternatives.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Precision micro-dosing

  • Dropper-friendly

  • Precision micro-dosing

  • Dropper-friendly

Review Summary

84%

"Owners report clear reductions in proteinuria and blood pressure in many chronic cases and praise the easy-to-dose liquid formulation and good tolerability. Common complaints are high cost and occasional access/insurance hurdles."

  • Tail-approved taste

  • Telmisartan 10 mg/mL oral solution for precise weight-based dosing.

  • Tail-approved taste

  • Telmisartan 10 mg/mL oral solution for precise weight-based dosing.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Semintra is the market-leading telmisartan oral solution specifically formulated for veterinary use, offering precise, small-volume dosing and validated stability which makes it technically superior for canine cardiovascular applications. Compared with compounded telmisartan or generic ARBs, Semintra delivers consistent potency and regulatory-backed safety data for dogs, reducing monitoring uncertainty and often justifying a higher price by lowering the risk of under- or overdosing. Its single-product formulation can also simplify inventory and prescribing for clinics that prioritize licensed veterinary options over off-label compounded alternatives.

  • Precision micro-dosing

  • Dropper-friendly

  • Tail-approved taste

  • Telmisartan 10 mg/mL oral solution for precise weight-based dosing.

  • Veterinary-branded product with established pharmacokinetics; approved label is for cats and it is used off‑label in dogs under veterinary direction.

  • Precision micro-dosing

  • Dropper-friendly

  • Tail-approved taste

  • Telmisartan 10 mg/mL oral solution for precise weight-based dosing.

  • Veterinary-branded product with established pharmacokinetics; approved label is for cats and it is used off‑label in dogs under veterinary direction.

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$120-200 CAD

2
COMPOUNDED TELMISARTAN SUSPENSION

Telmisartan Compounded Oral Suspension

Telmisartan Compounded Oral Suspension

Telmisartan compounded suspensions provide a cost-effective and customizable alternative to branded veterinary solutions, allowing pharmacies to tailor concentrations and flavors for individual canine patients. Financially they are often less expensive than licensed formulations like Semintra, but technically they carry greater variability in potency and stability between compounding sources, so clinics must balance upfront savings against potential dosing inconsistency compared with the licensed product. Compounded telmisartan is most valuable when precise dose strengths or formulations are required but should be sourced from reputable compounding pharmacies to reduce risk.

3.8
★★★☆☆

  • Custom concentrations

  • Syringe-compatible

  • Custom concentrations

  • Syringe-compatible

Review Summary

74%

"Users who received well-made compounded telmisartan often saw improvements similar to branded formulations, but many note variable potency and stability between pharmacies. Overall it is appreciated for affordability when reliably compounded."

  • Flavor-choice fun

  • Pharmacy-compounded oral suspension of telmisartan enabling flexible, small-dose administration.

  • Flavor-choice fun

  • Pharmacy-compounded oral suspension of telmisartan enabling flexible, small-dose administration.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Telmisartan compounded suspensions provide a cost-effective and customizable alternative to branded veterinary solutions, allowing pharmacies to tailor concentrations and flavors for individual canine patients. Financially they are often less expensive than licensed formulations like Semintra, but technically they carry greater variability in potency and stability between compounding sources, so clinics must balance upfront savings against potential dosing inconsistency compared with the licensed product. Compounded telmisartan is most valuable when precise dose strengths or formulations are required but should be sourced from reputable compounding pharmacies to reduce risk.

  • Custom concentrations

  • Syringe-compatible

  • Flavor-choice fun

  • Pharmacy-compounded oral suspension of telmisartan enabling flexible, small-dose administration.

  • Useful for dogs that require customized dosing or have difficulty with tablets.

  • Custom concentrations

  • Syringe-compatible

  • Flavor-choice fun

  • Pharmacy-compounded oral suspension of telmisartan enabling flexible, small-dose administration.

  • Useful for dogs that require customized dosing or have difficulty with tablets.

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$40-100 CAD

3
COMPOUNDED LOSARTAN TABLETS

Losartan Compounded Tablets

Losartan Compounded Tablets

Losartan compounded tablets are an inexpensive, widely available ARB option for off-label use in dogs, providing a lower-cost entry point compared with telmisartan-based products. While financially attractive, losartan has less veterinary-specific pharmacokinetic and outcome data in dogs than telmisartan, and compounded tablet production can introduce potency variability similar to other compounded products. Clinicians often choose losartan for budget-constrained patients or as a trial therapy, but should monitor response closely and consider switching to telmisartan formulations when consistent clinical effects are needed.

3.4
★★★☆☆

  • Scored for splitting

  • Economical generic

  • Scored for splitting

  • Economical generic

Review Summary

66%

"Many owners report inconsistent results for blood pressure and proteinuria control and frequent variability in compounded tablet quality; some find it helpful as an adjunct while others see limited benefit. Reports emphasize the need to verify compounding source and dosing."

  • Pill-pocket playful

  • Losartan tablets compounded to provide an alternative ARB option when telmisartan is unavailable.

  • Pill-pocket playful

  • Losartan tablets compounded to provide an alternative ARB option when telmisartan is unavailable.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Losartan compounded tablets are an inexpensive, widely available ARB option for off-label use in dogs, providing a lower-cost entry point compared with telmisartan-based products. While financially attractive, losartan has less veterinary-specific pharmacokinetic and outcome data in dogs than telmisartan, and compounded tablet production can introduce potency variability similar to other compounded products. Clinicians often choose losartan for budget-constrained patients or as a trial therapy, but should monitor response closely and consider switching to telmisartan formulations when consistent clinical effects are needed.

  • Scored for splitting

  • Economical generic

  • Pill-pocket playful

  • Losartan tablets compounded to provide an alternative ARB option when telmisartan is unavailable.

  • Used off‑label in dogs for hypertension and proteinuria, allowing oral tablet dosing regimens.

  • Scored for splitting

  • Economical generic

  • Pill-pocket playful

  • Losartan tablets compounded to provide an alternative ARB option when telmisartan is unavailable.

  • Used off‑label in dogs for hypertension and proteinuria, allowing oral tablet dosing regimens.

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$25-90 CAD

4
ACE INHIBITOR — BENAZEPRIL (COMPARATOR)

Benazepril HCl Tablets

Benazepril HCl Tablets

Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor with a long track record in veterinary cardiology and nephrology, often used as a lower-cost or complementary option to ARBs for managing canine heart failure and proteinuric kidney disease. Technically it acts upstream of ARBs in the renin-angiotensin system, which can be an advantage for certain patients but also means a different side-effect and monitoring profile compared with ARBs like telmisartan or losartan; financially, generic benazepril is typically inexpensive and widely stocked by clinics. For practices deciding between ACE inhibitors and ARBs, benazepril remains an important, evidence-backed choice when ARBs are unavailable or when combined therapy is indicated under specialist guidance.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • Once-daily dosing

  • Clinic staple

  • Once-daily dosing

  • Clinic staple

Review Summary

83%

"Long-term users commonly report good blood pressure and proteinuria control with few side effects and predictable dosing, making benazepril a reliable choice for many dogs. Some note it may require combination therapy for more severe disease."

  • Heart-helper charm

  • Benazepril hydrochloride is an ACE inhibitor commonly prescribed for canine heart disease, hypertension and proteinuria.

  • Heart-helper charm

  • Benazepril hydrochloride is an ACE inhibitor commonly prescribed for canine heart disease, hypertension and proteinuria.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor with a long track record in veterinary cardiology and nephrology, often used as a lower-cost or complementary option to ARBs for managing canine heart failure and proteinuric kidney disease. Technically it acts upstream of ARBs in the renin-angiotensin system, which can be an advantage for certain patients but also means a different side-effect and monitoring profile compared with ARBs like telmisartan or losartan; financially, generic benazepril is typically inexpensive and widely stocked by clinics. For practices deciding between ACE inhibitors and ARBs, benazepril remains an important, evidence-backed choice when ARBs are unavailable or when combined therapy is indicated under specialist guidance.

  • Once-daily dosing

  • Clinic staple

  • Heart-helper charm

  • Benazepril hydrochloride is an ACE inhibitor commonly prescribed for canine heart disease, hypertension and proteinuria.

  • Veterinary-labeled formulations with established canine dosing and safety profile.

  • Once-daily dosing

  • Clinic staple

  • Heart-helper charm

  • Benazepril hydrochloride is an ACE inhibitor commonly prescribed for canine heart disease, hypertension and proteinuria.

  • Veterinary-labeled formulations with established canine dosing and safety profile.

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$30-90 CAD

5
ACE INHIBITOR — ENALAPRIL (COMPARATOR)

Enalapril Maleate Tablets

Enalapril Maleate Tablets

Enalapril is a longstanding, generic ACE inhibitor frequently used in canine cardiology because of its affordability and established clinical experience, making it a practical alternative when ARBs are cost-prohibitive or unavailable. Compared with ARBs in this list, enalapril is generally cheaper per dose but may have a different adverse effect profile and slightly different efficacy for proteinuria or blood pressure control in dogs, so choice of drug should reflect individual patient response and monitoring capacity. Its broad availability and low cost keep enalapril as a default option in many practices, even as veterinary-specific ARBs gain traction.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Proven long-term use

  • Flexible dosing

  • Proven long-term use

  • Flexible dosing

Review Summary

81%

"Owners frequently report effective blood pressure reduction and improvement in heart-failure signs with generally mild and manageable side effects; some reviews mention a need for dose adjustments over time. Overall well-regarded as a first-line ACE inhibitor."

  • Vet-favorite wink

  • Enalapril maleate is a long-used ACE inhibitor for dogs with heart failure and hypertension.

  • Vet-favorite wink

  • Enalapril maleate is a long-used ACE inhibitor for dogs with heart failure and hypertension.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Enalapril is a longstanding, generic ACE inhibitor frequently used in canine cardiology because of its affordability and established clinical experience, making it a practical alternative when ARBs are cost-prohibitive or unavailable. Compared with ARBs in this list, enalapril is generally cheaper per dose but may have a different adverse effect profile and slightly different efficacy for proteinuria or blood pressure control in dogs, so choice of drug should reflect individual patient response and monitoring capacity. Its broad availability and low cost keep enalapril as a default option in many practices, even as veterinary-specific ARBs gain traction.

  • Proven long-term use

  • Flexible dosing

  • Vet-favorite wink

  • Enalapril maleate is a long-used ACE inhibitor for dogs with heart failure and hypertension.

  • Widely available as a generic tablet often making it a lower-cost chronic therapy option.

  • Proven long-term use

  • Flexible dosing

  • Vet-favorite wink

  • Enalapril maleate is a long-used ACE inhibitor for dogs with heart failure and hypertension.

  • Widely available as a generic tablet often making it a lower-cost chronic therapy option.

Order Now

$25-80 CAD

What the Research Shows

Clinical and veterinary research supports ARBs as effective tools for reducing proteinuria and lowering systemic blood pressure in dogs, with telmisartan and losartan commonly used when ACE inhibitors are not suitable or additional RAS blockade is required. Studies published in veterinary journals and clinical guidelines emphasize monitoring kidney values, electrolytes and blood pressure after initiation or dose changes. Evidence also highlights that combining RAS agents increases the risk of azotemia and hyperkalemia, so combinations should be used cautiously under veterinary supervision.

Telmisartan has been shown in veterinary studies to reduce proteinuria in dogs with protein-losing nephropathy, making it a valuable option for renal protection when indicated.

Losartan is used off-label in dogs and has supportive data from clinical case series demonstrating antihypertensive and antiproteinuric effects, though dosing often requires compounding and careful monitoring.

ACE inhibitors such as benazepril and enalapril retain strong evidence for management of heart failure and proteinuria; they are often first-line but may be replaced or supplemented by ARBs when side effects occur.

Randomized and observational studies in veterinary medicine indicate that ARBs and ACE inhibitors produce comparable reductions in proteinuria for many patients, but individual response varies, so follow-up testing (creatinine, BUN, electrolytes, urine protein:creatinine ratio and blood pressure) is essential.

Combination therapy (ACE inhibitor plus ARB) can produce greater proteinuria reduction in some cases but carries higher risk of kidney function decline and hyperkalemia; current recommendations favor veterinary-supervised use with frequent laboratory monitoring.

Clinical practice guidelines and peer-reviewed articles published in journals such as the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine support tailored therapy decisions based on disease stage, comorbidities and monitoring capacity.

In the Canadian 2025 context, ARBs and related cardiovascular medications remain important tools for protecting dogs' hearts and kidneys. The options presented here — Semintra 10mg/mL Oral Solution, Telmisartan Compounded Oral Suspension, Losartan Compounded Tablets, Benazepril HCl Tablets, and Enalapril Maleate Tablets — cover licensed formulations, commonly used compounded alternatives, and established ACE inhibitor comparators. Semintra 10mg/mL Oral Solution is often the preferred choice when a veterinary-labeled telmisartan formulation is available and appropriate; compounded telmisartan or losartan preparations are useful when individualized dosing is required; and benazepril or enalapril remain valuable ACE inhibitor options in many cases. We hope you found what you were looking for — you can refine or expand your search using the site search or consult your veterinarian for guidance tailored to your dog.

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